RED HOOK, NY — A 43-year-old man was arrested on drug charges following an investigation into narcotic sales in the Red Hook area.
Robert Caroccio, of Milan, was taken into custody on St. Patrick’s Day by the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force.
The investigation began after the Drug Task Force received complaints and intelligence from members of the public, business owners and members of the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Bureau, Red Hook Police Department and the New York State Police regarding a narcotic and dangerous drug dealer operating in the Red Hook area.
Drug Task Force agents deployed to the Red Hook area and identified Caroccio as the alleged dealer.
Agents purchased narcotics from the defendant on multiple occasions outside of various restaurants and bars in the Village of Red Hook, according to authorities.
On St. Patrick’s Day, Drug Task Force agents working undercover located the defendant inside a local bar and later took him into custody in the parking lot area with the assistance of the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Bureau and Red Hook Police Department.
The defendant was found to have multiple bags of cocaine packaged for sale on his person when taken into custody.
Drug Task Force agents with the assistance of the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Unit, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit and the Red Hook Police responded to the defendant’s residence in the Town of Milan and executed a search warrant.
Evidence was secured related to the distribution of cocaine as well as 40 caliber Glock magazines and ammunition.
Caroccio was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a class B felony, and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, a class C felony.
Several charges are pending against the defendant related to this investigation.
The defendant was arraigned in the Village of Red Hook Court and remanded to the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center.
